amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

myshiningstarz · 11-01-2004, 10:06 PM

For the last 3months Lea has had an on-going diaper rash. We tried every cream and ointment in the book... even taken her to the ped and gotten rx's. I finally decided to try calgon to see if possibly the rash was from detergent residue in my diapers (after adding extra hot washes and rinses to see if that helped first)... and it's a miracle- because the rash cleared up!! I tried doing it only for one wash then going back to my regular routine. Apparently it's something I'm going to need to do every time I wash dipes- because even when I skip it for even one wash- the rash comes back. (which is sort of scary in itself.. how much residue was ON MY DIPES after years??)

We have hard well water- but I just didn't realize how great this calgon really works. I highly recommend it. Esp for those with hard water, because there is probably more residue on your dipes then you realize.

Maiden Comfort · 11-01-2004, 10:17 PM

When we got our water softener, I had to wash my dipes multiple times to try to get them to stop sudsing! I was SHOCKED on how long it took!

Now I'm still working on getting the right balance down. With a new front loader, and soft water for the first time ever, it's taking some time!

~MamaCharly~ · 11-01-2004, 10:21 PM

a mama here reccommended I try it and it's really nice, my diapers don't have that icky smell when they come out of the dryer anymore. It's great stuff

I just wish it were a little cheaper

Half dozen mama · 11-01-2004, 11:03 PM

I totally agree! I didnt know I had hard water till I tried that stuff

I too wish it were cheaper!

cathleenc · 11-01-2004, 11:12 PM

how much calgon are you using? like in calgon for taking baths in? Why would that work for getting residue out?

Half dozen mama · 11-01-2004, 11:26 PM

Its calgon water softener, located in the laundry aisle. I found mine at Krogers. You just add half a cupful along with detergent. I dont know why it works but it really does

kaje62 · 11-01-2004, 11:43 PM

did anyone find out if this is the same thing?

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1683-AA.shtml

The only thing I don't like about the calgon is the fragrance.

amey · 11-01-2004, 11:47 PM

kathy jo,
Linda (mowglimonster) found a better ingredient list that included a couple extra chemicals. She was going to ask her neighbor the chemist what could possibly be mixed up - to see if she could mix it at home since she can't get Calgon down in New Zealand. You might want to PM her to see if she's gotten an answer yet.

~amey

cathleenc · 11-02-2004, 04:10 PM

I called the manufacturer of Calgon and was told that the active ingredients in Calgon powder water softener are citrate and sulfate salts. A little more searching on the internet and I found a water softening page that says the active ingredient is Sodium Hexametaphosphate. The fixative Dharma Traders is selling is a sodium salt but not the h axametaphosphate one.

Danica, can you make something like this for us without the perfume stink?

hth. Cathy